The next two phases will place bike stations in close proximity, within a 5-10 minute walk to each other. These stations will move further into neighborhoods and fill in some area gaps, providing a 24-7 transportation system for short, one-way trips. Transportation affects social equity. At least seven stations will be in historically underserved neighborhoods in South and West Berkeley.

Berkeley, which encompasses just over 10 square miles, will have 37 stations and 400 bike share bicycles - making it even easier to bike in one of the nation's most active bicycling communities. Bike share will create a 24-hour regional transportation network for short, one-way trips. Grab a bike near your home, office, or school. Pedal to a meeting, to an errand or visit family in Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland. When your visit is complete, grab a bike and cycle back to Berkeley.

Bike share will make it even easier to use BART and AC Transit, which are not in walking distance for many people. Bike share not only can be spread into many neighborhoods, bike stations easily integrate with mass transit - decreasing dependency on cars and making for more sustainable communities.

An annual bike share pass will be $15 per month or $149 per year, which includes unlimited 30-minute trips. Reduced annual passes will be available for $5 per month or $60 a year for those qualifying for PG&E California Alternative Rates for Energy program. A 24-hour pass will also be available once prices are determined.

Berkeley's shared bicycles will be part of a fleet of 7,000 bicycles in the region, building a robust network that includes San Jose and San Francisco. In 2018 when the system is complete, the Bay Area will have one of the largest and densest bike share systems in North America. Residents and visitors can use bikes for commuting, fun or work. Twenty percent of Berkeley's stations will be in historically underserved communities.

Come to the next workshop to learn more or help determine station locations. Workshops are open to everyone, but each workshop will be focused on stations in those districts.

Berkeleyans love to bike. A survey for the City's Bicycle Plan, which is being updated this year, found that 70% of residents were "interested but concerned" about bicycling. Their primary concern involved designing streets to better accommodate people biking. Updates to the Bicycle Plan this year will work to address this, and bike share addresses the next three biggest concerns: bike theft, home storage and bicycle maintenance.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission selected Motivate, the nation's largest operator of bike share systems, to run Bay Area Bike share, and the Berkeley City Council approved this agreement on January 19.

Additional neighborhood workshops for Berkeley and the East Bay will take place in these cities throughout 2016, and will be announced online at www.bayareabikeshare.com/expansion. Those unable to attend a workshop are encouraged to submit station ideas via the online suggest-a-station portal at suggest.bayareabikeshare.com.